Logan Circle activist enters council race

By
Tim Craig

Wayne Dickson, a longtime community activist from Logan Circle, is entering the race for the at-large seat on the D.C. Council currently filled by interim member Sekou Biddle.

Dickson, a Democrat, is a real estate broker who led the effort to bring Whole Foods to P Street in Logan Circle in 2001, revitalizing the neighborhood. Dickson is also a close associate of council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) and served as his campaign chairman in 2004.

Dickson, who is the only white candidate to announce his intention to run, said he's running on a platform that includes holding the line on taxes, embracing development and "creating a dialogue" about poverty and teen pregnancy.

"I think development and new businesses are very important; it also translates into jobs and increased tax base," Dickson said in an interview. "As a commercial real estate broker, I am well aware of the value of great business development.

Dickson, 72, is the past chairman of the Ward 2 Democratic Committee and past president of the Logan Circle Community Association. Despite his relationship with Evans, Dickson said the council did not ask him to enter the race and has "not offered any assistance."

"I think he is going to stay out of this," Dickson said.

Although other candidates are expected to enter the April 26 special election, Dickson says he thinks there is currently room in the race for a pro-business, low-tax Democrat who's willing to speak out about controversial issues such as teen pregnancy.

"That has troubled me for years and years and years," Dickson said. "I think it's just an issue that needs to be talked about. I think community has to start searching about solutions."

If elected, Dickson would become one of the oldest member of the council. But Dickson plans to use his age as an advantage in his race against Biddle, 39. Former Fenty political advisor Joshua Lopez, 26, and Jacque D. Patterson, 46, have also told The Washington Post that they will be candidates in the election.

"I will be the oldest in the field, but with wisdom comes age," Dickson said.

At least he's a season man at 72 years old, but I don't know him and I don't think he can represent or bring the city together as one. This goes for the same candidates. DC is very divided by race and class. I saw the ugliness or racism during the mayoral election. For the record, I am a middle age white male.

Was there a need to rush this story to publication to avoid being scooped by Greater Greater Washington or My Nana's Favorite Recipes?

What else explains the sloppiness of referencing Old Man evans as the council member from Ward 1 in paragraph two and publishing that Dickson said the "council" rather than the "council member" did not ask him to enter the race in paragraph five.

The story quotes Dickson as saying "I think community has to start searching about solutions" in paragraph eight. Is this an accurate quote, or may have Dickson actually said "I think (THE) community has to start searching (FOR)/(TALKING) about solutions."